Saddle Vehicle Front Structure Aerodynamic Headlight Cowl

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to prevent an increase in driving resistance and light leakage while maintaining clearance between the headlight lens portions and the front cowl, while also enhancing the outer appearance of the headlight in saddle ride type vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A front structure for saddle ride type vehicles is designed with a headlight unit, an annular cowl surrounding the lens portions, an upper cowl covering the annular cowl, and a wind screen, where the annular cowl includes a light-shielding wall extending backward from the upper cowl to prevent light leakage and guide traveling wind efficiently, reducing driving resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the headlight is upsized to improve outer appearance, then the headlight form is emphasized, but the projected area in front view increases and driving resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadlight formVSAvoiddriving resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The front structure is divided into multiple functional components: headlight unit with lens portions, annular cowl surrounding the headlights, upper cowl covering the annular cowl, and wind screen above. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the headlight unit can be upsized for appearance while the cowls are designed to manage airflow and reduce drag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If the headlight is upsized to improve outer appearance, then the headlight form is emphasized, but the number of parts increases due to light-shielding measures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadlight formVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-shielding function is merged into the existing cowl structure rather than adding separate shielding components. The annular cowl and upper cowl serve dual purposes: aerodynamic flow management and light shielding. This integration maintains the upsized headlight appearance while avoiding an increase in part count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If clearance is maintained between lens portions and front cowl, then light leakage is prevented, but driving resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-shielding performanceVSAvoiddriving resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cowl structure implements different local qualities in different regions. The annular cowl is positioned close to the lens portions at the sides to prevent light leakage, while the upper cowl and wind screen create larger gaps in the upper region to facilitate airflow. This local differentiation maintains light-shielding performance where needed while reducing drag where possible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Shape

If the annular cowl surrounds the lens portions, then the outer appearance is improved, but the clearance maintenance becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadlight outlineVSAvoidclearance maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The annular cowl is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously achieves aesthetic outlining of the headlights, light shielding, and aerodynamic flow guidance. By consolidating these functions into a single universal component rather than multiple specialized parts, the design simplifies the clearance maintenance requirement while achieving multiple objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design improves the outer appearance by clearly outlining the lens portions, reduces driving resistance through efficient wind guidance, and minimizes the number of parts and weight, while maintaining a small clearance and effective light-shielding performance.

Implementation Method 1

the annular cowl (31) includes a light-shielding wall (311) extending backward from a rear portion of the upper cowl (32) between the opening (OP) and the wind screen (33)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the edge portion (321R, 321L) of the upper cowl (32) includes a portion (322R, 322L) that forms a slit-shaped opening (OP) extending in a vehicle width direction between the edge portion and the upper portion (UP) of the lens portion (21R, 21L)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind guidance: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3222503B1Front structure of saddle ride type vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A front structure of a saddle ride type vehicle includes a headlight unit, and a front cowl. The headlight unit includes at least one lens portion. The front cowl includes an annular cowl configured to surround the lens portions, an upper cowl configured to cover at least an upper portion of the annular cowl from the front side, and a wind screen. The edge portion of the upper cowl includes a portion that forms a slit-shaped opening. The annular cowl includes a light-shielding wall extending backward from a rear portion of the upper cowl between the opening and the wind screen.